"Composed of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon 36% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot the deep garnet-purple colored 2015 Haut-Bailly offers up a tantalizingly savory nose of smoked meats chargrill tapenade unsmoked cigars and black truffles with a core of black currants black cherries and wild blueberries plus wafts of iron ore and bouquet garni. Medium to full-bodied very firm and yet wonderfully plush with a powerful core of fruit?this vintage is truly an iron fist in a velvet glove. The finish goes on and on with persistent earthy/minerally notes and savory/sweet fruit. Although it is tempting and indeed delicious right now the wine still possesses many restrained layers and should handsomely reward the patient."

Once again I am absolutely stunned by how vivid the 2015 Haut-Bailly is. Bright red-toned fruit and floral overtones convey freshness. Deep and unctuous in the glass with tremendous concentration the 2015 has more than enough clout to age well for several decades. It will need at least a few years in bottle to be truly enjoyable.

95-97. Barrel Sample. This wine is finely balanced with its ripe dusty tannins contrasted by bold blackberry fruits. This is an impressive wine that has great structure showing the quality of the Cabernet in the vintage.

Fresh and pure with cassis and cherry preserve notes streaming through guided gently by singed vanilla tobacco and dried star anise details. Roasted apple wood accents drape the finish for now but the fruit should soak that up easily with cellaring. Shows some sneaky depth here only obscured by the freshness. Better to wait this one out. Best from 2020 through 2040. 6665 cases made. ?JM